Why is My Cat Hiding From Me?

Cats are masters of concealment, from the smallest nook wedged under the bed to the most unlikely places of comfort. Usually, cats hide simply because they’ve found a safe, warm and comfortable place to sleep. But if you have a cat who suddenly starts hiding and does not want to come out, it could indicate something is wrong. In this article, we'll help you to answer the question, 'why is my cat hiding from me?'

Is Hiding Normal Behavior for Cats?

It's normal for cats to hide. Even well-adjusted cats like safe places to relax, and these popular places such as underneath the bed, in cabinets, in the closet, under blankets, in a bag, on a shelf, and so on, can provide many feline creature comforts.

Cats long to be warm, comfortable, and in a safe and quiet space, and hiding can help them to achieve this. However, cats don't always hide for this reason, so read on if you have concerns. 

Why Did My Cat Suddenly Start Hiding?

Although hiding is normal cat behavior, if your cat has never hidden before, it could signify that something is off. There are some exceptions, especially if your cat is hiding but continues to interact with you in the house. For example, if you leave your drawers open and you find your cat getting snuggly on your fresh laundry, or maybe you added a new fluffy rug to the guest bedroom, they might simply enjoy these comforts and a quiet place to rest. However, there could be other factors causing the hiding, such as:

Changes To Their Environment

Cats are wildly known to be creatures of habit. Huge changes to their environment can be scary or cause anxiety. If something in your household has changed, such as changing the furniture or getting new roommates, your cat may hide until they have had time to get used to the new changes. In some cases, cats may not be open to such change and then decide that either A) the change is manageable or B) avoid the change by not entering a room or getting close to a new person in the household.

Anxiety or Sickness

Other common reasons cats suddenly start hiding have to do with their physical and mental health. If cats suddenly aren’t feeling well or become stressed, scared, or anxious, they tend to hide a behavior that often indicates something being off.

Why Do Cats Hide When They're Sick?

It's pervasive for cats to hide when they are sick. Common indicators that your cat isn’t feeling well include low energy, loss of appetite, and sudden hiding. If your cat suddenly begins hiding from you or you notice a shift in behavior, you’ll want to get them to the vet to find out what's going on.

Is it Normal For a New Cat to Hide?

It's totally normal for a new cat to hide, especially when they’re introduced to a new environment. Finding a safe and quiet space to hide from all the change allows a cat to get used to unfamiliar smells, sounds, and surroundings. However, this is not true with all felines. Some cats may not hide at all, while others may hide for days.

If your new cat happens to be a feline that needs to hide, you’ll just have to wait for them to become familiar with their surroundings. 

How to Help a New Cat Stop Hiding

Here’s a list of simple acts of kindness that can help boost your new kitty’s confidence and coax them to come out of hiding sooner rather than later:

• Make sure that you have accessible food and water near the hiding spot.
• Bring the litter box close by (if you can).
• Bring them their favorite toys. 
• Spend some time sitting where your cat can see and hear you. As trust develops, so will your cat’s comfort level.

If you have a kitten, make sure they're not left alone for long, in order to avoid them climbing into unsafe places and squeezing into spaces they might not be able to get back out of.

How Long Will a Cat Stay in Hiding?

Hiding is, for the most part, temporary and acts more as a functional place to sleep. It’s a good sign that your cat is healthy if they regularly come out of hiding to eat, play, use their litter tray, and spend time with you.

If your cat is hiding pretty much all of the time, and you have ruled out a medical issue, think about things in your home environment that may have changed (new furniture, new roommates, loss of a partner, loss of another pet etc) around the time the hiding had begun. This change could easily be the issue that’s making them uncomfortable or sad, and it may take time for them to get used to new changes.

How Do I Get My Cat Out of Hiding?

It might make you sad that your cat is not as present as before, but you cannot force them out of hiding unless you have to. If you're concerned that your cat needs medical attention, find a way to remove them from hiding gently. If you have a new cat or have just moved into a new home with your cat, allow them some time to acclimate to all of the recent changes about their new space.

Once your cat has had some time to adjust to any changes or a new environment, a great way to coax them out of hiding is, you guessed it, catnip or cat treats. If you have a food-motivated cat, this can be a simple way to show your kitty the new place is safe for all, whereas catnip can make him forget about his troubles long enough to realize all is well. 

Overall, if you're not concerned that your cat may have a medical issue, let your cat decide to come out of hiding by themselves. Forcing things can make things worse and can keep them in hiding much longer than expected. If you're patient and allow your cat to gradually become familiar with their new environment, they'll come out of hiding in their own time. Browse our Cats Collection for all things feline including cat portraits, cat graphic tees, cute cat doodle designs, and more!